Note 14 - Income Taxes (Detail) - Deferred Income Taxes (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards	$ 17,602	$ 11,675	[1]
Temporary differences due to accrued warranty costs	690	684	[1]
Temporary differences due to bonus and vacation accrual	94		[1]
Temporary differences due to construction in progress	1,316
Other temporary differences	196	697	[1]
Credits	16		[1]
	19,914	13,056	[1]
Valuation allowance	(19,914)	(12,842)	[1]
Total deferred income tax assets		214	[1]
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Other temporary differences	(173)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(173)		[1]
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$ (173)	$ 214	[1]

[1] As recast to reflect the activity of SGT beginning January 1, 2011 combined with the balances of Solar Power, Inc. beginning March 31, 2011, as required under the accounting guidelines for a transfer of an entity under common control (refer to Note 5 -Acquisition of Solar Green Technology ).